Memorial Day for "Annie's" Owner

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Celebrating a Life Well Done

Rod Keegan, Prescott, Ontario

June 28, 1916 - November 16, 2012

Many of you have followed my previous posts on the sudden death of "Annie's" owner last November, with her by his side.  Due to our sales contract, his executor searched us down, as per his wishes, and she came back to us to live out her life.  Rod's memorial was moved to the spring when family and friends from as far as Vancouver, down east (came by motorcycle in the chilly rain), and even a niece that resides during the winter in Mexico, were all able to come.

I was invited to come, and bring his beloved fur friend "Annie".  It was held at the Prescott Golf Course where Rod totally immersed himself, and as I've heard in his later years would wander several holes with "Annie", just hitting some balls for the fun of it.

 

"Annie" enjoying her chewie in between visits on the blanket Rod had for her

there was a large crowd of in-laws, 'out'-laws, friends, and family

his Executor Sue and partner Derek

They did an awesome job of putting out old photos, newspaper articles on his life working in the photo dark room, events @ the Prescott Golf Club done by the Prescott newspaper, his kazoos he loved to play, and a lovely power point presentation.

This said a lot about Rod's life

 "Annie" - the love she gave came back 10 fold

"Annie" doing one last walk on the last hole

After the power point presentation there were many friends and family members that were asked to tell their stories of Rod.  I was in total awe of this man's life and experiences.  And yes, I was asked to say a few words on the life I knew of him with "Annie" and a few experiences he shared with me.

I'd heard of the many stories of how Rod would go to the Prescott Library to sit by the fire and read, almost every day with "Annie" by his side.  She was the only dog allowed in the library!  They were there the afternoon of his passing.

So, since I was so close, I just had to stop by on my way home.  I let "Annie" lead me up the steps and to the door.  It was a very emotional moment to see her go to the door, stiff the opening, and stand there, waiting for it to open.  She'd sniff, look through the glass, sniff again .... patiently waiting ....

 

   

 looking back at me as if to say "well, aren't we going in?"

I let her lead me down the walk way and towards the street; it was as if she knew her way back home and towards the golf course.  She went with a purpose and a 'come follow me' presence.  I've never experienced this with one of our shelties, when in very unfamiliar territory.

The street was a very quiet one, so I knocked on a house across from the library, told them who I and "Annie" were - they remembered her well - and asked if one of them would take a 'memory' picture of me with "Annie".

It was disappointing that the library was closed as I would have liked to have seen what she would have done, although not unexpected given it was now around 5:30pm.  A long day for "Annie" as our trip had started around noon.

and so the journey of Rod's life ends .... however, not without some wild flower seeds to sow in his memory.

"Annie" on the right as she enjoys her senior years

with her 1/2 brother (middle) and his mother (left) all over 13 yrs of age now

RIP Rod